February 27, 2010 - Submarine Group Two Change of Command

An old classmate of mine has done very well in the Navy -- as well he should as he was supremely gifted -- and invited Lynnette and I to his Change of Command at the Submarine Base in Groton, CT.  It turned into a mini-reunion as two other couples were able to attend as well.  We ended up making a weekend out of it. 

 

The weather couldn't have been worse, however.  A storm hit the Northeast just as we were leaving home.  We didn't encounter snow until we were on the New Jersey turnpike north of Philly.  But even then it wasn't sticking.  There wasn't almost no northbound traffic which was nice.  We reached traffic at the George Washington bridge at the same time the snow started accumulating.   Traffic cleared up soon after leaving the NYC area and the snow turned to rain. 

 

We got stuck in heavy traffic in CT around 5-6 PM.  After that it was light traffic but extremely heavy rain all the way to Groton. 

 

It wasn't what I would call a relaxing drive but we finally arrived at around 7:30PM.  After that it was all good.  We enjoyed getting together with old friends with lots of good food and drink. 

 

The snow was really coming down as we crossed the George Washington bridge heading into Manhatten.

 
Looking straight up at the George Washington bridge.  I flew over this bridge in the Citabria twice, only a couple hundred feet above due to the airspace restrictions.
 

The change of command ceremony was nice.  The SubBase Chapel was impressive.  A big wooden a-frame with a windowed alter-end.  It was rather intimidating with lots of submarine Commanders and Captains.  They gathered together in the manner of successful, powerful men.   

"The Change of Command ceremony is a time-honred tradition, which formally restates to the officers and personnel of the command the authority of the command.  It is a formal ritual conducted before the assembled company of the command.  Custom has established that this ceremony be formal and impressive - designed to strengthen that respect for authority vital to any military organization.  Parading all hands at quarters and public reading of the official orders stems from those days when movement of mail and persons was a very slow process.  This procedure was designed to ensure that only authorized officers held command and that all aboard were aware of their authenticity.  The change of command ceremony is nearly unique in the world today;  it is transfer of total responsibility, authority, and accountability from one individual to another. "

Commander Submarine Group TWO exercises command of North Atlantic attack submarine forces administratively assigned.  Responsible for Submarine Squadrons TWO, FOUR, and Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE in Groton as well as Submarine Squadrons SIX and EIGHT in Norfolk, approximately 22 nuclear powered attack submarines.

 
Paul gave a very good speech and even mentioned Frank, Gail, Lynnette and I. 
 

The reception at the Sub Museum was nice as well.   

 
A USNA81 photo with John R., Mike M., Paul, Jimmy, Frank and I.
 
Jimmy and I getting ready to tour the USS Nautilus, world's first nuclear-powered submarine.
 
It snowed most of the day, but didn't accumulate.
 
The Nautilus doesn't look a whole lot different from the World War II boats.  The big difference is the powerplant, obviously.
 
The attack center of the Nautilus.
 

The Officer's Wardroom.

We got to go on a VIP tour of the Sub Base after the reception.  I wasn’t too excited about it but it turned out to be thoroughly enjoyable.  We toured the brand-new water escape training facility, and the submarine attack center simulator.  Then we toured the USS New Hampshire which is one of the new Virginia class attack subs.  The Commanding Officer led the tour.  The New Hampshire was impressive, let me tell you.  For obvious reasons, I didn't take pictures. 

 
We got together for breakfast the next day.
 
We had quite a large party!
 
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